Keywords
Endometriosis, Clinical Presentation, Laparoscopy, Treatment, YGOPH
1. Introduction
Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine
cavity. It is a chronic gynecological disease that affects approximately 10% of women
of childbearing age worldwide [1] . Often associated with severe pelv ic pain, dys-
menorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility, endometriosis significantly impacts pa-
tients’ quality of life and represents a considerable socioeconomic burden [2]. Man-
aging endometriosis is complex and involves medical and surgical approaches.
Surgery is often recommended for severe or medically resistant cases. La paros-
copy, a minimally invasive surgical technique, is now considered the go ld stand-
ard for both diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, offering advantages such
as smaller incisions, faster recovery, and less post-operative pain compared to lap-
arotomy [3].
In the African context, particularly in Cameroon, endometriosis management
faces specific challenges. Diagnosis is often delayed due to limited public awar e-
ness, restricted access to specialized diagnostic tools (experts on endometrios is,
ultrasound, and MRI), and cultural normalization of pelvic pain in wome n [4].
Consequently, patients often present at advanced disease stages with extensive,
complex lesions. Furthermore, although laparoscopy is the preferred surgical ap-
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Open Access
I. Tompeen et al.
DOI: 10.4236/ojog.2025.1510148 1750 Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
proach for endometriosis, its availability in Cameroon is predominantly limi ted
to major urban centers. Key barriers include: high equipment cost, shortage of
trained specialists, and insufficient surgical training progr ams in advanced lap-
aroscopic techniques [5]. As a referral center, the Yaoundé Gyneco-Obstetric and
Pediatric Hospital (YGOPH) plays a central role in managing complex gynecologi-
cal conditions, including endometriosis.
This study aims to describe the clinical, laparoscopic, and therapeutic aspects
of endometriosis in women who underwent laparoscopic surgery at YGOPH. This
research will improve our understanding of the disease’s specific characteristics in
the Cameroonian clinical context, identify challenges in diagnosis and surgical man-
agement, and suggest ways to improve the care of women with endometriosis i n
Cameroon.
2. Methodology
2.1. Study Design
We conducted a descriptive, cross -sectional study with retrospective data collec-
tion over a five-year period from January 2018 to July 2023 in the gynecology de-
partment of YGOPH.
2.2. Study Population
We included all patients with complete medical records who underwent laparos-
copy during the study period and were diagnosed with endometriosis. For each case,
sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical, and intraoperative data were coll ected.
We used the revised American Society of Reproductive Medicine ( rASRM) score
to stage the disease.
2.3. Data Analysis
Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26 software, and results were pre-
sented in tables and figures. Parameters of central tendency (mean and median)
and dispersion (standard deviation and interquartile range) were used to describe
quantitative variables. Qualitative variables were expressed as absolute or relative
frequencies.
2.4. Ethical Considerations
This study was approved by the ethics committees of the Faculty of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences at the University of Yaoundé 1 and YGOPH. The anonymity
and confidentiality of the collected data were maintained.
3. Results
During the study period, 413 patients underwent laparoscopy. Among them, 71
were found to have endometriosis lesions, of whom seven patients were excluded
due to missing medical records. The participant flow chart is as follows ( Figure
1).
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Figure 1 . Participant flow diagram.
3.1. Prevalence of Endometriosis in Patients Undergoing
Laparoscopic Surgery
Of the 413 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery during the study period,
71 had endometriosis lesions, representing a prevalence rate of 17.2%.
3.2. Sociodemographic Characteristics
Table 1 . Sociodemographic characteristics of the patients.
Characteristics N = 64 %
Age
Means ± SD 31.9 ± 5
Range 20 - 43
[20 - 24] 5 7.8
[25 - 29] 13 20.3
[30 - 34] 27 42.2
[35 - 39] 14 21.9
>40 5 7.8
Parity
Nulliparous 39 60.9
Pauciparous 10 15.6
Primiparous 14 21.9
Multiparous 1 1.6
Marital Status
Single 40 62.5
Married 24 37.5
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Continued
Place of Residence
Urban 59 92.2
Rural 5 7.8
Education Level
Secondary 20 31.2
Higher Education 44 68.8
Occupation
Civil Servant 17 26.6
Private Sector 15 23.4
Informal Sector 7 10.9
Student 14 21.9
Unemployed 11 17.2
The age range was 20 to 43 years old, with an average age of 31.9 ± 5.0 years. The most
represented age group was 30 to 34 years old (42.2%).
Most of the patients were nulliparous (60.9%), single (62.2%), highly educated
(68.8%), and lived in urban areas (92.2%) (Table 1 ).
3.3. Clinical and Paraclinical Characteristics of Patients
Table 2 summarizes the clinical characteristics of patients.
Table 2 . Clinical characteristics of the patients.
Characteristics N = 64 %
Menarche
Means ± SD 12.28 ± 2.08
Medical History
Curettage 11 17.2
Cesarian Section 2 3.1
Myomectomy 6 9.4
Hysteroscopy 2 3.1
Cervical Stenosis 1 1.6
Infertility
Primary 22 34.4
Secondary 16 25
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Non-cyclical 16 25
Cyclical 18 28.1
Dyspareunia 23 35.9
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Continued
Dyschezia 1 1.6
Menorrhagia 3 4.7
Abdominal Distension 1 1.6
Adnexal Mass 19 29.7
Uterosacral Ligament Induration 10 15.6
Abdominal tenderness 6 9.4
Fixed Uterus 6 9.4
Umbilical Nodule 3 4.7
Retroverted Uterus 3 4.7
Surgical Indications
Infertility 22 34.4
Chronic Pelvic Pain 21 32.8
Ovarian Cysts 11 17.2
Post-myomectomy Laparoscopy 3 4.7
Unruptured Ectopic Pregnancy 3 4.7
Uterine Fibroid 1 1.6
Tubo-Ovarian Abscess 1 1.6
Suspected Ovarian Cancer 1 1.6
Adnexal Torsion 1 1.6
The average age at menarche was 12.28 ± 2.08 years.
A history of curettage and myomectomy was found in 17.2% and 9.4% of cases,
respectively.
Patients were infertile in 59.4% of cases and reported chronic pelvic pain (53.1%),
which was mostly cyclical. Dyspareunia was present in 35.9% of cases.
The most common physical signs were the perception of an adnexal mass dur-
ing a vaginal examination (29.7%) and induration of the uterosacral ligame nts
(15.6%).
The main reasons for surgery were infertility (34.4%), chronic pelvic pain (32.8%),
and ovarian cysts (17.2%).
Table 3 summarizes the paraclinical characteristics of the patients.
Serum CA 125 testing was requested for nine patients (14%) as part of the inves-
tigation of an ovarian cyst. The test results were elevated in more than three-quar-
ters of the cases.
Pelvic ultrasound was the most commonly performed morphological examina-
tion (53.1%). The main ultrasound finding was ovarian cysts (61.8%), and endome-
triosis was suspected in three patients. Kissing ovaries were identified on ultrasound
in two patients.
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Table 3 . Paraclinical characteristics of the patients.
Characteristics N = 64 %
CA125 Level 9 14
Elevated CA125 7 10.9
Pelvic Ultrasound 34 53.1
Ovarian Cyst 21 32.8
Kissing ovaries 2 3.1
Ascites 1 1.6
Pelvic MRI 11 17.2
Retrocervical Endometriosis 5 7.8
Kissing ovaries 2 3.1
Adenomyosis 2 3.1
3.4. Clinical and Intraoperative Characteristics of Patients
Table 4 summarizes these characteristics.
Superficial endometriosis lesions were the most frequent (67.2%).
Pelvic adhesions were present in 84.4% of cases.
The ovary was the most commonly affected organ (75%), followed by the utero-
sacral ligaments (45.3%).
The most common primary lesions of superficial endometriosis were blue lesions
(34.4%).
Table 4 . Characteristics of Endometriosis Lesions.
Characteristics N = 64 %
Endometriosis Phenotype
Superficial Endometriosis 43 67.2
Endometrioma 34 53.1
Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis 34 53.1
Superficial Endometriosis Appearance
Blue 22 34.4
Retraction 15 23.4
Stellate Lesion 9 14
Red 8 12.5
Cystic Nodule 7 10.9
White 5 7.8
Black 3 4.7
Hypervascularization 3 4.7
Brown 1 1.6
Yellow 1 1.6
Endometrioma Location
Left Ovary 7 10.9
Right Ovary 10 15.6
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Continued
Bilateral 17 26.6
Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Sites
Uterosacral Ligaments 22 34.4
Torus Uterinum 10 15.6
Rectovaginal Septum 12 18.7
Rectum 1 1.6
Overall Affected Organs
Sigmoid Colon 2 3.1
Appendix 2 3.1
Rectum 4 6.3
Bladder 4 6.3
Diaphragm 5 7.8
Ovarian Fossa 5 7.8
Pouch of Douglas 7 10.9
Abdominal Wall 10 15.6
Rectovaginal Septum 12 18.7
Torus Uterinum 14 21.9
Fallopian Tube 16 25
Uterus 21 32.8
Uterosacral Ligaments 29 45.3
Ovaries 48 75
Adhesions (According to AFS Classification) 54 84.4
Type A (Filmy) 11 17.2
Type B (Dense Avascular) 44 68.7
Type C (Opaque) 16 25
Endometriomas were bilateral in half of the cases (26.6%). When unilateral, the
right side was most commonly affected.
The uterosacral ligaments were the most common site of deep endometriosis le-
sions (64.7%).
Figure 2 illustrates the distribution of endometriotic lesions based on their se-
verity according to the rASRM classification.
Figure 2 . Revised American Society of Reproductive Medicine (rASRM) classification of
endometriosis.
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According to the revised classification of the American Society of Reproductive
Medicine (rASRM), most patients (51.6%) had severe endometriosis.
Table 5 summarizes the surgical procedures per formed to treat endometriotic
lesions.
Table 5 . Surgical management of endometriotic lesions.
Characteristics N = 64 %
Adhesiolysis 54 84.4
Complete Adhesiolysis 45 83.3
Incomplete Adhesiolysis 9 16.7
Endometrioma Management 34 53.1
Cyst Drainage 34 100
Cyst Wall Excision 34 100
Superficial Endometriosis Management 37 57.8
Ablation (Fulguration) 15 40.5
Excision 12 32.4
Combined (Fulguration + Excision) 10 27.1
Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Management
Retrocervico-Rectal Shaving 12 18.7
Resection of Uterosacral Ligaments 22 34.4
Additional Procedures
Appendectomy 1 1.6
Umbilical Nodulectomy 3 4.7
Tuboplasty (Fimbrioplasty/Salpingostomy) 30 46.9
Adhesiolysis was completed in the majority of cases (83.3%).
Endometriotic cysts were systematically drained, followed by cyst wall excision
in cases.
The most common procedure for superficial lesions was ablation by fulguration
(40.5%).
Resection of the uterosacral ligaments was the main procedure for deep lesions.
Retro-cervico-rectal shaving was performed for retro-cervico-rectal lesions.
4. Discussion
The main objective of this paper was to study the clinical , laparoscopic, and ther-
apeutic aspects of endometriosis in women undergoing surgery at the YG OPH.
More specifically, the aim was to determine the frequency of endometriosis in the
study population, to describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and para -clinical
characteristics of the participants, to identify the different indications for laparos-
copy, and to report on intraoperative findings and surgical procedures. The main
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Limitations
of our study were the absence of anatomopathological confirmation of
endometriosis. In 2022, using histopathology as the gold standard in the diagnosis
of endometriosis, Gratton et al. [6] found that sensitivity for laparoscopic visuali-
zation was 90.1% (95% CI : 81.0 - 95.1), specificity was 40% (95% CI: 23.4 - 59.3),
while positive and negative predictive values were 81.0% (95% CI: 71.0 - 88.1) and
58.8% (95% CI: 36.0 - 78.4) respectively; and the accuracy was 77.1% (95% CI: 67.7 -
84.4). In fact, very few files provided this information, which could be explained
by patients not performing the anatomopathological examination or not report-
ing the results in the files at the post-operative appointment. Excluding cases with-
out histological confirmation would have drastically reduced our sample si ze.
However, it is important to remember that according to the recent recommenda-
tions of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology [7] , a
negative histology result does not entirely exclude the diagnosis of endometriosis.
Thus, in our study, we considered the visual diagnosis of endometriosis lesions at
laparoscopy.
The overall prevalence of endometriosis among our study population was 17.2%.
This frequency is lower than the 48.1% found by Fawole
et al. in 2015 [8] and the
62% found by Janssen et al. in 2013 [9] in Nigeria. The studies carried out by these
authors concerned a population with chronic pelvic pain or infertility. In fact, 45
to 82% of women with chronic pelvic pain and 2.1 to 78% of infertile women have
endometriosis [10] [11]. In 2016, Prescott et al . [12] found a frequency of 6 %.
Indeed, their study excluded infertile women. In Cameroon, in 2007, Mboudou et
al. [13] found that 13.5% of women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for infertility
had endometriosis. These disparities can be explained by the heterogeneity of the
selection criteria for the various studies and the methodology used. With the de-
velopment of endoscopic surgery in Sub-Sahelian Africa over the last few decades,
we can see that endometriosis is no longer an uncommon pathology in black Af-
rican women.
The mean age of the participants was 31.9 years (±5 years), with extremes of 20
and 43 years. These results are similar to those found in the African literature [8 ]
[13]-[16]. Indeed, endometriosis is a pathology of young women of childbearing
age. Single women represented 68% of our sample, while some authors [13 ] [14]
found a predominance of married women. The mean age at menarche was 12.28 ±
2.08 years. Early menarche, defined as occurring at an age of 11 or 12 years or younger,
depending on the author, is associated with a higher risk of endometriosis [17]
[18]. Nulliparous women were the most represented group (61%), with only one
participant being multiparous. Existing studies [14] [19] found a predominance of
nulliparous women. Endometriosis is recognized as a cause of infertility through
several mechanisms, including impaired folliculogenesis, poor oocyte quality, im-
paired ovarian reserve, anatomical changes due to adhesions, a lack of exposure to
sexual activity in women with chronic pain, and local proinflammatory factors, which
reduce implantation rates and promote early abortion.
In our study, patients’ main complaints were infertility (61%) and chronic pel-
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vic pain (53%), which was most often cyclical. Pelvic pain and/or infertility are the
primary manifestations of endometriosis. These findings corroborate those of sev-
eral authors [8] [9] [13] [14] [16], who have shown that chronic pelvic pain and
infertility are the primary manifestations of endometriosis. The majority of pa-
tients have normal physical findings, and the perception of an adnexal mass on
vaginal examination was the most frequently detected physical sign (30% of par-
ticipants). This could be explained by the fact that our study included patients
with various clinical suspicions and operative indications. This makes searching
for physical signs specific to endometriosis suboptimal. Additionally, clinical find-
ings differ depending on whether they are sought during or outside of menstrua-
tion. It should be noted that these signs are more visible during menstruation.
Three of our patients presented with umbilical nodules, which are a s ign of cuta-
neous endometriosis. The clinical manifestation of cutaneous endo metriosis de-
pends on the hormonal environment and is often associated with catamenial hem-
orrhage [20].
Serum Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125) essays were performed by 14% of parti c-
ipants, with elevated levels found in over three-quarters of cases (77.8%). In 2012,
Szubert
et al. [21] in Poland also found higher serum CA 125 levels in women with
endometriosis. CA 125 can be used to improve diagnostic accuracy for endome-
triosis, and to assess the efficacy of surgical treatment and the progression towards
malignant transformation. However, the sensitivity of CA 125 alone is unsatisfac-
tory, because elevated levels are seen in several physiological or pathological situ-
ations, such as ovulation, menstruation, ovarian cysts, pelvic infections, and can-
cers of the ovary, pancreas, and lungs [22] [23].
A pelvic ultrasound was the most common morphological examination, performed
on 34 out of 64 patients (53.1%). Potential reasons to explain this low rate are direct
referral for emergent laparoscopy based on clinical presentation or patient finan-
cial barriers. The main ultrasound finding was the presence of ovarian cysts (60%).
These results are consistent with those of Bilkissou
et al. [14], who found that 69.8%
of patients underwent pelvic ultrasounds, with endometriomas being the primary
finding in 25.3% of cases. Pelvic ultrasound is accessible and is often used as a first-
line procedure for pelvic gynecological diseases, including endometriosis. Moreo-
ver, endovaginal ultrasound has a sensitivity of 81% - 84% and a specificity of 90% -
97% for diagnosing endometrioma [24]. A pelvic MRI was performed on 11 p a-
tients (17%). Most of them showed deep endometriosis lesions. The sensitivity
and specificity of MRIs for diagnosing and evaluating deep endometriosis lesions
preoperatively are 88% and 99% [25] [26], respectively. However, the high cost of
this examination and the limited number of radiologists who specialize in endo-
metriosis may restrict its use.
The main indications for surgery were infertility (34.4%), chronic pelvic pain
(32.8%), and ovarian cysts (17.2%). In 2018, Hemmert
et al. [27] in the USA found
that the main indications were pelvic pain (63%), pelvic masses (1 4%), and men-
strual irregularities (10%). Infertility accounted for only 4%. Schliep et al. [19] also
found pelvic pain (62.2%), pelvic masses (12.8%), menstrual irregularities (8.8%),
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and infertility (7.4%). These differences may be explained by the fact that all of
these studies included patients who had undergone laparoscopy for various rea-
sons and for whom endometriosis lesions had been identified. The ovary was the
most affected organ (75%). Mboudou et al. [13] and Ajani et al. [15] also fou nd
the ovary to be the most affected organ in 35.8% and 58.8% of cases, respectively.
Superficial endometriosis lesions were the most frequent (67.2%). These resu lts
differ from those of Bilkissou et al. [14], who found endometriomas (22.9%) and
adhesions (14.5%). According to the rASRM classification, most of our patients
(51.6%) had severe endometriosis. Chapron et al. [28] in France in 2003 found mild
endometriosis in most cases (38.1%). This difference may be explained by the fact
that their study only included patients with deep endometriosis lesions, whereas
the rASRM classification is not the most suitable for deep endometriosis, as it does
not take into account the involvement of sites such as the uterosacral lig aments,
vagina, rectum, and bladder. Its scoring system prioritizes adhesions and ovarian
disease, thereby underrepresenting the functional impact of deep infiltrating nod-
ules.
The type of surgical treatment depends on the clinical form of endometriosis and
the number and location of the lesions. The most common procedure for treating
superficial endometriosis lesions was ablation by fulguration. Ablation is indeed
a destructive technique recommended for treating superficial endometriosis lesions;
however, the main drawback is the thermal damage associated with the diffusion
of heat laterally and at depth. The endometrioma was systematically drained, fol-
lowed by shell excision in 82% of cases. Exeresis of the cyst is associated with a lower
risk of recurrence than ablation. However, a greater or lesser portion of ovarian tis-
sue may be removed, especially in endometriomas larger than 60 mm [29]. Surgery
for deep nodules most often involved total resection of the nodules (68%). This aligns
with the literature [29] [30].
Surgery should be considered only in patients with symptoms that do not respond
to medical treatment and significantly impact the quality of life [31] . The current
recommendations for the management of endometriosis suggest medical therapy
as the first line, including combined hormonal contraceptives and progesterone.
The second line consists of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, GnRH
antagonist, and aromatase inhibitors [31].
5. Conclusion
This study highlights the clinical, laparoscopic, and therapeutic aspects of endo-
metriosis among women undergoing surgery at the Yaoundé Gyneco-Obstetric
and Pediatric Hospital (YGOPH). The prevalence of endometriosis in our popu-
lation was 17.2%, with infertility (59.4%) and chronic pelvic pain (53%) as the
predominant symptoms. Sociodemographic findings align with existing literature,
emphasizing endometriosis as a condition affecting young, predominantly nullip-
arous women of reproductive age. Despite the absence of routine h istopatholog-
ical confirmation, laparoscopic visualization remained a reliable diagnostic tool,
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consistent with recent ESHRE guidelines. Imaging modalities such as pelvic ultra-
sound and MRI proved valuable, though accessibility and cost limit MRI’s wid e-
spread use in our setting. Surgical management, tailored to lesion type and sever-
ity, predominantly involved fulguration for superficial lesions and cyst excisio n
for endometriomas, reflecting global standards. The study underscores the grow-
ing recognition of endometriosis in Sub -Saharan Africa, driven by advance s in
endoscopic surgery. However, challenges persist, including limited diagnostic re-
sources and heterogeneity in clinical presentation. Future efforts should prioritize
multidisciplinary approaches, standardized protocols, and increased awareness to
optimize early diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving quality of life for af-
fected women. To enhance clinical outcomes in our region, we recommend the de-
velopment and implementation of standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols
for endometriosis.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
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